Submitted The Rugby Speech Team took first place at the regional competition in Cando.

The Rugby Panther Speech Team traveled to Cando on March 11 for the Region IV Tournament. Going in with seven students already qualified, the Panther Team left Cando with 14 students qualified for the State Tournament. In addition, the Panthers took home the Region IV Championship for the second year in a row.

The Panther team secured six event champion awards. Placing first were Rebekah Wangler (Speech to Persuade and Radio Broadcasting), McKenzie Oppen (Speech to Inform), Alissa Volk/Madalyn Pretzer (Humorous Duo), Darby Deckert (EPR) and Zach Miller/Emily Stier (Serious Duo).

The most notable accomplishment for the day was not in the champions or championship, however. All 21 members of the team took home an award, contributing to the overall score. Rugby won the tournament, with North Star coming in as the runner-up. Harvey/Wells Co. and Rolette took third and fourth, respectively.

Region IV Tournament Results:

Dramatic Interp – ReeAnn Christianson, 2nd, SQ; Kaitlyn Boucher, 3rd, SQ; McKenzie Oppen, 4th; Emily Stier, 9th

Entertain – Zach Miller, 2nd, SQ; McKenzie Johnson, 3rd; Kristina Brossart, 4th; Jacob Berginski, 5th

EPR – Darby Deckert, 1st, SQ; Elizabeth Skjelver, 5th

Extemp – Thor Skjelver, 2nd, SQ

Humorous – Kate Heidlebaugh, 3rd, SQ; Jacob Berginski, 4th; Trenton Sanford, 8th

Humorous Duo – Madalyn Pretzer/Alissa Volk, 1st, SQ; Darby Deckert/ReeAnn Christianson, 3rd, SQ

Impromptu – Allison Heilman, 2nd, SQ

Inform – McKenzie Oppen, 1st, SQ; Sasha Klein, 5th; Allison Heilman, 6th

Persuade – Rebekah Wangler, 1st, SQ; Kimberlee Leier, 2nd, SQ; McKenzie Johnson, 5th; Thor Skjelver, 6th

Poetry – Alissa Volk, 3rd, SQ; Lilly Schmidt, 7th

Radio Broadcasting – Rebekah Wangler, 1st, SQ; Kaitlyn Boucher, 4th

Serious Duo – Zach Miller/Emily Stier, 1st, SQ; Madalyn Pretzer/Elizabeth Skjelver, 3rd

Storytelling – Kate Heidlebaugh, 2nd, SQ; Maria Mack, 3rd; Trenton Sanford, 6th

– Kyle Vareberg,

RHS Speech Adviser